Bookies favour A-listers for Priests’ movie roles

International singing stars The Priests performing at last year's Proms in the Park

Published:11:41Saturday 22 October 2011

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Three of Tinseltown’s biggest names are the bookies favourites to play Derry’s world renowned singing priests in a Hollywood movie charting their rise to international success.

The Priests - Derry brothers Eugene and Martin O’Hagan and Father David Delargy - revealed on last week’s Late Late show that moves were afoot to tell their story on the silver screen.

And now bookies Paddy Power are giving punters the chance to have a flutter on which A-listers will help capture their story on celluloid - with Gary Oldman, Kevin Spacey and Denis Quaid leading the pack.

Spokeswoman Sharon McHugh says at the moment Paddy Power are betting just 7/4 that movie bosses snap up the holy trio and turn their story into a Hollywood blockbuster.

“Just last week The Priests confessed to Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show that there was already a film being made about them.

“They’re very likeable fellows and given their rapid rise to success we wouldn’t be surprised if Hollywood snapped up their story,” she says.

British actor Gary Oldman, currently starring in the Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy remake is the 8/1 favourite on Paddy Power’s list, followed by US actors Denis Quaid and Kevin Spacey at 10/1.

Ballymena actor Liam Neeson, at 12/1, comes in ahead of Hollywood royalty Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt who are further down the list of odds at 20/1 and 40/1.

Punters can also take a chance on Tom Cruise at 50/1, Jim Carrey at 80/1 or rank outsider Matthew McConaughey at 100/1.

The Priests have enjoyed a meteoric rise to international superstardom since first coming to prominence with the launch of their debut album back in 2008. That album has since been recognised as the fastest-selling UK debut for a classical act. The Priests embark on a tour of America next month before returning to these shores.